Rane MA 4 User manual

Manual-1
MA 4
MULTICHANNEL AMPLIFIER
DIGITAL
AMPLIFIER
dB Headroom dB Headroom dB Headroom dB Headroom
3
6
12
24
Limit
1
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
3
6
12
24
Limit
2
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
3
6
12
24
Limit
3
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
3
6
12
24
Limit
4 ON
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
MA 4
OPERATORS MANUAL
Quick Start
Basic MA 4 operation is straightforward:
1. e universal switching power supply works with 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.
2. Make sure the front panel power switch is o (the unit consumes 5 watts in standby mode).
3. Connect balanced inputs (rear panel).
4. Set SENSITIVITY controls to +22 (see why on page Manual-2) (rear panel).
5. Turn the Downward EXPander ON (rear panel).
6. Set COMPressor to 10 dB (rear panel).
7. Select the appropriate HIGH PASS lter frequency (20, 40, 60 or 80 Hz on rear panel).
8. Connect speaker loads (rear panel).
9. Make sure you have adequate ventilation around the unit – see Safety Instructions.
10. Turn ON the front panel power switch. You’re good to go!
Metering shows the status of the amplier at a glance (see page Manual-3). Headroom (with any load), dynamics control, Fault status
and Load status are indicated for each channel.
Extra Credit
For remote turn-on, fault reporting and back-up amplier operations, and remote level control wiring, see page Manual-4.
For FAULT FLAG operation (applications and reported faults), see page Manual-3.
MA 4
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 3 2 1
FAU LT
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
3
2
1
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
4321
ON
4321
ON
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
SOURCE 4
SOURCE 3
SOURCE 2
SOURCE 1
WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.
Installation
• No rear mounting hardware required.
• Allow adequate ventilation to keep ambient temperature around the amplier below 104˚F (40˚C).
• Fan cooled with inset intake on left side and inset exhaust on right side (no lter)
• Amplier heat load in Btu/hr at 100/240 VAC
º 10.2 / 13.3 Btu/hr All ampliers in standby
º 112.3 / 95.5 Btu/hr All ampliers on, no signal
º 167 / 139 Btu/hr All ampliers driven, pink noise, 12 watts avg. 4:1 crest
º Note: 1 watt x 3.413 = 1 Btu/hr.

Manual-2
Description & Operation
• Each channel delivers 100 watts of power into a 4 or 8Ω load (constant power).
º Average load impedance is estimated, then used to set the limiter to confine the maximum average power to 100 watts.
• Universal voltage, power-factor-corrected power supply (see gure on data sheet).
º Switch-mode power supply operates 100 to 240 VAC, 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
º Under- and over-voltage protection with inrush current management.
º The power supply features an IEC appliance inlet.
º Must be connected to a grounded mains socket-outlet.
• Class D ampliers operate at up to 85% eciency.
º Amplifiers operate in floating Bridged configuration.
º Channels are not bridgeable.
º Balanced Inputs accept +22 dBu maximum.
• Rear panel SENSITIVITY controls allow continuous adjustment from +22 dBu to +4 dBu.
º Integrated Limiter prevents clipping regardless of input level and sensitivity setting with input levels up to +22 dBu.
º The best dynamic range is achieved when all stages in a system clip at the same time. If the signal processing in front of the ampli-
fier clips at +22 dBu, and the amplifier sensitivity is set so that it clips at + 4 dBu, you loose 18 dB of headroom.
• REMOTE DC LEVEL control inputs are provided for each channel.
º Audio taper attenuation with external linear pot (0 dB to –80 dB, –16 dB at center position).
º Clickless mute with switch (use SPST switch; connect Vc to GND to mute).
º Euroblock connector with strain relief (Vref, Vcontrol, GND).
º One pot may control all four channels by daisy-chaining the Vc of the used port to the other three ports.
• e Load-dependent Limiter eliminates voltage and current clipping, ensuring signal integrity and uninterrupted service.
º The peak signal detector for the Limiter is oversampled to insure accuracy at any frequency.
º Instantaneous attack and 3 dB per second decay.
• Average load impedance is estimated and used to determine the Limiter threshold setting.
º The front panel Load indicator (see metering) indicates the load status.
º The normal impedance range is 2 to 16 Ω. (green Load indicator on).
º Average load impedance is estimated over 180 ms and requires a minimum of 3.3 watts averaged over 180 ms.
• A soft-knee COMPressor is enabled (down) or disabled (up) for all channels using the rear panel dipswitch.
º The rms threshold is 10 dB below the Limiter threshold.
· Allows full uncompressed operation of typical program material while reducing continuous sine wave power.
· Soft knee span is 10 dB; Ratio is 3:1; Attack is 1.5 seconds; Decay is 3 dB per second.
º If the internal amplifier temperature goes above 65˚ C, the compressor is automatically set to the 10 dB setting until the
temperature drops below 55˚ C. At normal operating temperatures, the threshold setting follows the dipswitch setting.
• Downward EXPander reduces noise in the absence of signal.
º The expander is enabled (down) or disabled (up) for all channels using the rear panel dipswitch.
º Threshold is –70 dBFS; Ratio is 3:1; Attack time is 50 ms; Gain reduction 10 dB per second.
• 20, 40, 60 or 80 Hz HIGH-PASS lters are selected using the rear panel dipswitch.
º Setting affects all channels.
º Filters are 12 dB per octave, Butterworth alignment.
MA 4
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 3 2 1
FAULT
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
3
2
1
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
MA 4
ACN 001
345 482
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP. Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low
Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4
FLAG
321
FAULT
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc
–
+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+–
321
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4321
1234
+– +– +– +–
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc +– +– +– +–
INPUTS
MODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
4321
ON
4321
ON
MA 4
ACN 001
345 482
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP. Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 321
FAULT
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc–
+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+–
321
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4321
1234
+– +– +– +–
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc +– +– +– +–
INPUTS
MODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
4321
ON
4321
ON

Manual-3
• Individual FAULT FLAG ports are provided for each channel.
º When a fault is detected on power up, the channel or channels aected are not enabled, and the appropriate front
panel fault indicators are lit. A detected fault is re-tested every 10 seconds.
º When a channel develops a fault while operating, the channel shuts down and the output relay is turned OFF.
A detected fault is re-tested every 10 seconds.
º Possible faults include: supply under-voltage, over-voltage, voltage imbalance, output short to ground, output
short to supply, output short to output, clock not running, over safe temperature.
º Channels set to Master, drive the fault ag high when no fault is present. Passive pull down pulls the fault ag low
when a fault occurs or power is lost. Slave channels read the status of the fault ag (see Master/Slave below).
º The fault flag uses 5 volt logic with high-side active drive and passive pull down. No fault = +5V. Fault = 0V.
• Each channel is set for MASTER (up) or SLAVE (down) operation using the rear panel dipswitch.
º Master channels write fault flag status.
º Slave channels read fault flag status.
º The Master setting is used for remote fault reporting and/or automatic redundancy switching control.
º The Slave setting is used for individual channel remote power sequencing or automatic redundancy switching.
• Internal automatic redundancy switching is provided (see page Manual-4).
º The primary amplifier channel is set to Master. The backup amplifier channel is
set to Slave. The Master fault flag is wired to the Slave fault flag. If two different
MA 4 amplifiers are involved (recommended), also wire the fault flag grounds
together. Drive Master and Slave audio inputs from the same source, and set the
SENSITIVITY controls the same. Master and Slave front panel power switches
must be ON.
º When a fault is detected on a Master amplifier channel, that channel is shut
down, the output relay is switched to off, internally connecting the load to the
EXTernal amplifier input. The front panel fault indicator is then lit.
º The Slave channel remains in low-power standby (Ready indicator flashing) until a fault is detected (fault flag no longer driven
high by the Master channel). When a fault is detected, the Slave channel performs a self test, switches to run mode, and closes the
output relay (takes about 500 ms). The output of the Slave channel is connected to the EXTernal amplifier input on the Master
channel.
• Comprehensive front panel metering is included for each channel:
º Headroom meters are four-segment. The peak signal level is compared to the limit threshold and the difference in dB is displayed
as remaining headroom. The limiter threshold is adjusted to account for the average load impedance, resulting in load compen-
sated headroom indication.
º Red Limiter, yellow Compressor and yellow Expander indicators light when the associated dynamics control is active.
º A red Fault indicator lights when a fault is detected
º The green Load indicator is off when impedance is above 16 Ω, on when impedance is between 2 and 16 Ω and flashing when the
impedance is below 2 Ω.
º The green Ready indicator is off when the power switch is off, flashing when the power switch is on and the unit is in standby
(Slave channel with high fault flag) and on when the channel is active.
DIGITAL
AMPLIFIER
dB Headroom dB Headroom dB Headroom dB Headroom
3
6
12
24
Limit
1
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
3
6
12
24
Limit
2
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
3
6
12
24
Limit
3
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
3
6
12
24
Limit
4ON
Comp
Exp
Fault
Load
Ready
MA 4
MA 4
ACN 001
345 482
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP. Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low
Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4
FLAG
321
FAULT
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc–
+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+–
321
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4321
1234 +– +– +– +–
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc +– +– +– +–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
4321
ON
4321
ON
MA 4
ACN 001
345 482
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 321
FAULT
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc
–
+–+–+–+– +–+–+–+–
321
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4321
1234 +– +– +– +–
Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc Vr Vc +– +– +– +–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
4321
ON
4321
ON

Manual-4
MA 4
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 3 2 1
FAU LT
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
3
2
1
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
4321
ON
4321
ON
+5V
Advanced Applications
Remote Turn-on
To operate an amplier channel in low power standby with remote turn-on, set its rear panel switch to SLAVE. External +5 volts con-
nected to the FAULT FLAG holds the amplier in standby. Floating the FAULT FLAG or connecting it to ground turns the channel on.
Fault Reporting
To have an amplier channel report a fault to a control system or back up amplier, set it to Master. e
Fault Flag is held high (+5 volts) during normal operation and goes low (passive pull down) when a fault
occurs. For details on Fault Flag operation, see page Manual-3.
Remote Level Control inputs are provided for each channel. e Rane VR 2 or any other linear potenti-
ometer 10k to 100k Ω may be connected to these inputs (diagram at right).
MA 4
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 3 2 1
FAU LT
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
3
2
1
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
4321
ON
4321
ON
MA 4
100-240V
50/60 Hz 500 WATTS
MADE IN U.S.A.
RANE CORP.
Class 2 Wiring
OUTPUTS
Active Low Use Rane VR 2 or 20 kΩ pot
HIGH-PASS
20Hz
40Hz
60Hz
80Hz
ON
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
REMOTE LEVEL 4
4FLAG 3 2 1
FAU LT
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
3
2
1
MASTER
SLAVE
COMP
4
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
Vr
Vc
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
INPUTSMODE
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
3
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
2
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
1
13
22
dBu
SENSITIVITY
4
EXP ON
3
INT EXT
LOAD
2
INT EXT
LOAD
1
INT EXT
LOAD
4
INT EXT
LOAD
COMMERCIAL AUDIO
EQUIPMENT 24TJ
R
4321
ON
4321
ON
4
0
2
6
8
10
LEVEL
4
0
2
6
8
10
LEVEL
4
0
2
6
8
10
LEVEL
4
0
2
6
8
10
LEVEL
+
–
+
–
+
–
+
–
VR 2
VOLUME
REMOTES
ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4
SOURCE 4
SOURCE 3
SOURCE 2
SOURCE 1
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
FOR CONTINUED GROUNDING
PROTECTION DO NOT REMOVE
THIS SCREW.
MASTER
MA 4
SLAVE
MA 4
All features & specications subject to change without notice. DOC 111037
©Rane Corporation 10802 47th Ave. W., Mukilteo WA 98275-5000 USA TEL [phone] FAX [phone] WEB rane.com
20 kΩ,
linear taper
GND
Vc
CW
Vr